1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
The play revolves around Brenda, a young girl of mixed heritage. So mixed, in fact, she is often referred to as "chop suey" by those in her neighborhood. She lives with her family on the Westside of Los Angeles, where she also works at a local drugstore owned and operated by her family. Although coming from a poorer class, it is evident that there seems to be quite a strong camaraderie within the neighborhood. Although composed of different minorities, there seems to be a sense of community and unity when it comes to their "barrio". One place where this is shown is in Auntie Mary's garden, where life is in constant bloom. The actions of the play begin in 1966 in the family pharmacy.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion is when Brenda is placed in an advance literature class while Kali and the rest of her friends from the Westside are placed in a remedial class, also known as "Twelve o'clock High". This is the first instance where we see Brenda cut-off from the rest of her community. She begins to see and learn about the world from a different perspective. This is the moment that begins drama that would ensue throughout throughout the remainder of the piece.
3. What is the unique factor?
This is the day that the playwright, Brenda Aoki, has decided to retell the events during her time in Westside and how they have impacted her life.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will Brenda ever, truly, leave her Westside roots?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
In terms of information known to most, an example would be when Kali give Smoke up to the authorities. Brenda must learn of this from her friend Sherry after the fact. In terms of information known to one, an example would be the feelings and emotions felt by Brenda due to her upbringing on the Westside. This would be information only known the Brenda, and it is important to understanding the story.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
In terms of the most theatrical moment, the shooting at the end of the play would probably be the biggest in the entire play. In terms of theatrical composition, the loud bang of a gun firing off gets anybody (and any audience's) attention. There is also the meaning which is more implicit. Kali is probably the only reason why Brenda comes back to Westside. His death is her last, true connection with the community.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Important themes that can be taken away from this play include maturity, exposure, and identity. The audience is literally taken on her journey from adolescence to adulthood, all in the context of Westside. All of a sudden, we see her exposed to many different types of new and different ideas, which affect her in different ways. All of these realizations help her to figure out what her true identity is.
8. What do the narrator want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
More than anything, the narrator wants to figure out her true identity. Throughout her life, others have told her what she means to them. However, throughout the journey of the play, the narrator is shown different perspectives and viewpoints that challenge her original way of thinking. But she must figure out who she really is on her own terms and in her own words.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
A possible image in the play could be Auntie Mary's roses. There are something sweet and reassuring in Brenda's otherwise confusing world. There is also the garden, which represents the constant cycle of life. Beautiful things are born, they grown, and then they die. But something beautiful and wonderful is always their to take its place. This goes back to the title of the play, "Queen's Garden" . Brenda may lose things or people who she loves, but, with the right ingredients, there will always be something or someone just a s beautiful to fill that space.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Family is deeply explored throughout the entirety of this play. Brenda and her family run a neighborhood pharmacy, and, as the oldest sibling, Brenda is held to a much higher standard by her parents than the rest of her siblings. But, as she goes to school and learns viewpoints and ideas different from her own, they begin to challenge the ideas and viewpoints of her family's. The play does a good job showing how a family can still love and care for one another despite differences in ideas and viewpoints.
The play revolves around Brenda, a young girl of mixed heritage. So mixed, in fact, she is often referred to as "chop suey" by those in her neighborhood. She lives with her family on the Westside of Los Angeles, where she also works at a local drugstore owned and operated by her family. Although coming from a poorer class, it is evident that there seems to be quite a strong camaraderie within the neighborhood. Although composed of different minorities, there seems to be a sense of community and unity when it comes to their "barrio". One place where this is shown is in Auntie Mary's garden, where life is in constant bloom. The actions of the play begin in 1966 in the family pharmacy.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion is when Brenda is placed in an advance literature class while Kali and the rest of her friends from the Westside are placed in a remedial class, also known as "Twelve o'clock High". This is the first instance where we see Brenda cut-off from the rest of her community. She begins to see and learn about the world from a different perspective. This is the moment that begins drama that would ensue throughout throughout the remainder of the piece.
3. What is the unique factor?
This is the day that the playwright, Brenda Aoki, has decided to retell the events during her time in Westside and how they have impacted her life.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will Brenda ever, truly, leave her Westside roots?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
In terms of information known to most, an example would be when Kali give Smoke up to the authorities. Brenda must learn of this from her friend Sherry after the fact. In terms of information known to one, an example would be the feelings and emotions felt by Brenda due to her upbringing on the Westside. This would be information only known the Brenda, and it is important to understanding the story.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
In terms of the most theatrical moment, the shooting at the end of the play would probably be the biggest in the entire play. In terms of theatrical composition, the loud bang of a gun firing off gets anybody (and any audience's) attention. There is also the meaning which is more implicit. Kali is probably the only reason why Brenda comes back to Westside. His death is her last, true connection with the community.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Important themes that can be taken away from this play include maturity, exposure, and identity. The audience is literally taken on her journey from adolescence to adulthood, all in the context of Westside. All of a sudden, we see her exposed to many different types of new and different ideas, which affect her in different ways. All of these realizations help her to figure out what her true identity is.
8. What do the narrator want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
More than anything, the narrator wants to figure out her true identity. Throughout her life, others have told her what she means to them. However, throughout the journey of the play, the narrator is shown different perspectives and viewpoints that challenge her original way of thinking. But she must figure out who she really is on her own terms and in her own words.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
A possible image in the play could be Auntie Mary's roses. There are something sweet and reassuring in Brenda's otherwise confusing world. There is also the garden, which represents the constant cycle of life. Beautiful things are born, they grown, and then they die. But something beautiful and wonderful is always their to take its place. This goes back to the title of the play, "Queen's Garden" . Brenda may lose things or people who she loves, but, with the right ingredients, there will always be something or someone just a s beautiful to fill that space.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Family is deeply explored throughout the entirety of this play. Brenda and her family run a neighborhood pharmacy, and, as the oldest sibling, Brenda is held to a much higher standard by her parents than the rest of her siblings. But, as she goes to school and learns viewpoints and ideas different from her own, they begin to challenge the ideas and viewpoints of her family's. The play does a good job showing how a family can still love and care for one another despite differences in ideas and viewpoints.